Exclamations Uncovered

Overview

Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 31 students
Unit: Exciting Creation Stories (Lesson 2 of 6)
Focus: Exclamations in Creation Stories

---

National Curriculum Links (English, Year 3)

• Spoken Language:
  Listen and respond appropriately to adults and peers; use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas.

• Reading - Comprehension:
  Retrieve and record information from non-fiction; participate in discussions about words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imagination.

• Writing - Composition:
  Use expanded noun phrases to describe and specify [for example, the blue butterfly]; discuss writing similar to that which they are planning to write, to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar.

• Writing - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation:
  Use sentences with varied structures, including statements, questions, commands and exclamations.

• Spelling:
  Use the diagonal and horizontal strokes needed to join letters; spell words that are often misspelt.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

• Identify exclamatory sentences in creation stories and understand their purpose.
• Explain how exclamations add excitement and emotion to storytelling.
• Compose their own exclamatory sentences inspired by creation stories discussed in class.
• Read aloud exclamations with appropriate intonation to express feelings.

---

Resources Needed

• Selected extracts from creation stories (e.g., simplified versions of The Creation from "The Bible," or a myth such as "The Aboriginal Dreamtime story") featuring exclamatory sentences.
• Whiteboard and coloured markers
• Exclamation mark (! ) flashcards
• Writing journals or lined paper and pencils
• Emotion word bank poster (e.g., wow, amazing, incredible, oh no, hurrah, unbelievable)
• “Exclamation Excitement” interactive chart (feelings linked to sentences)
• Timer

---

Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes)

Engage pupils with a 'Feel the Excitement' game:

• Teacher reads aloud 3 sentences – 1 statement, 1 question, 1 exclamation – each relating to creation or natural wonder (e.g., “The sky was blue.” / “What a beautiful sun!” / “Look at the lightning!”).
• Pupils raise flashcards to indicate which type each sentence is, focusing on identifying exclamations.
• Briefly discuss why the exclamation stands out (focus on punctuation and emotion).

National Curriculum Link: Spoken language and punctuation recognition.

---

Main Activity Part 1 (15 minutes)

Explore exclamations in Creation Stories:

• Read aloud 2 short creation story extracts containing exclamations.
• Pupils work in pairs to highlight or underline exclamatory sentences in printed copies. (Provide different extracts for differentiation.)
• Class discusses: Why do you think the author used an exclamation here? What feeling is being expressed?
• Record examples on the interactive chart, linking exclamations to feelings on the board.

National Curriculum Link: Reading comprehension, vocabulary development, punctuation focus.

---

Main Activity Part 2 (20 minutes)

Create your own exciting exclamations:

• Pupils brainstorm individual exclamatory sentences inspired by the creation stories or natural phenomena (earth, sky, animals, plants). Encourage use of emotion word bank.
• Writing prompt on board: “Imagine you are the storyteller telling about the first sunrise. Write 3 exclamations that show how amazing it looks!”
• Pupils write 3 exclamatory sentences in their writing journals.
• Teacher circulates, providing sentence starters and feedback, encouraging correct use of exclamation marks and expressive language.

National Curriculum Link: Writing composition, grammar (exclamations), vocabulary enhancement.

---

Plenary (10 minutes)

Exclamation Read-Aloud and Share:

• Pupils volunteer to read aloud one of their exclamatory sentences with feeling and intonation.
• Class votes for the most expressive reading (fun ‘Exclamation Star’ certificate awarded).
• Teacher revisits key learning point: Exclamations help to show strong feelings and make stories exciting.
• Quick quiz: Pupils identify whether given new sentences are exclamations or not (using fingers or flashcards).

National Curriculum Link: Spoken language, reading aloud, punctuation knowledge.

---

Assessment and Feedback

• Formative: Throughout pair work and independent writing, observe pupils’ ability to recognise and compose exclamations.
• Peer: Sharing and voting in plenary develops listening and evaluative skills.
• Teacher: Review journals for correct punctuation and use of expressive vocabulary. Provide verbal feedback and reinforcement.

---

Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters or exclamatory phrases for EAL/SEN pupils. Use visuals and emotion charts.
• Challenge: Pupils write short paragraphs using exclamations creatively and include expanded noun phrases for richer description.

---

Extension Idea (for early finishers or homework)

• Create a mini comic strip or illustrated poster with exclamatory captions about a creation story or natural event.

---

Wow Factor / Creative Twist

• Emotion Role-Play: Pupils mime their exclamation aloud showing the emotion (surprise, wonder, shock), helping kinaesthetic learners connect punctuation and tone.
• "Exclamation Hunt": Mini scavenger hunt around the classroom for exclamation cards hidden in story excerpts — making identification active and playful.

---

This lesson plan ensures alignment with the National Curriculum for England Year 3 English, providing an engaging, interactive focus on exclamations within the wider context of creation stories.